More WDW

History

More WDW

"More WDW" is our catch-all section for the many other attractions, shows, and events that Walt Disney World has lost. Stay tuned for more picture sections in the future.

Donald's 50th Birthday

In 1984, Disney World threw a big celebration for Donald Duck's 50th Birthday. "Born" on June 9, 1934, the Duck was honored with decorations around the Magic Kingdom, along with his own parade. A TV special called "Donald Duck's 50th Birthday" was also aired in November of that year.

Birthdayland/Starland

Mickey's Birthday land opened on June 18, 1988, to celebrate Mickey's 60th birthday (which is November 18, 1928). It closed on April 22, 1990, and reopened on May 26 of that year as Mickey's Starland. Starland would eventually get transformed into Mickey's Toontown Fair on June 29, 1996.

Birthdayland -
Mickey's Birthdayland was the first new land to open in the Magic Kingdom since the park opened in 1971. Part of the Tomorrowland Grand Prix Raceway was cut off to make room for the new land.

Birthdayland was set in the city of Duckburg with many facades reflecting Duckburg buildings. Donald's boat, Uncle Scrooge's mansion, and Gyro Gearloose's house were among the facades. The only real house that guests could walk through was Mickey's house. To make clear the Duckburg setting, a statue of town founder Cornelius Coot was set up on a fountain.

The attractions of Birthdayland included a tent full of character cutouts and backdrops for photos, along with a tent housing a surprise birthday show for Mickey. The Walt Disney World Railroad got a new station at the edge of Birthdayland, along with a small playground right next to it.
Another attraction was Grandma Duck's farm, which was basically a small petting zoo featuring Minnie Moo (a cow with Mickey spots on its side). After Starland ended, Minnie Moo was moved to the Tri-Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness. She died in 2001.

Mickey's 60th birthday celebration was not just contained within this one land though. It spread across Disney World, even to the World Showcase omnibuses at EPCOT Center.

Starland -
Mickey's Birthdayland proved to be popular and was given new life as Mickey's Starland (since his 60th birthday celebration had ended). Starland was basically the same land as Birthdayland with one exception: the live birthday show changed into a Disney Afternoon show. Characters from the different Disney Afternoon TV series starred in the show with Mickey. The characters in the show would change depending on which TV show was part of the current Disney Afternoon TV lineup. Characters from TV's Gummi Bears, DuckTales, Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, Goof Troop, and Bonkers were all featured at one time or another.

Toontown Fair -
In 1996, Mickey's Starland reopened as the all new Mickey's Toontown Fair. No longer set in Duckburg, the land was now themed around fair grounds. Mickey's house remained, but all of the facades were taken down in favor of more complete houses. A full walk-through Minnie's house and Donald's boat were added. Grandma Duck's farm was transformed into Goofy's Wiseacres Farm, home of the Barnstormer roller coaster (opening on October 1, 1996). The Audio-Animatronic chickens from World of Motion made Goofy's barn their new home.

The live character show was discontinued. However, the "Meet Mickey in his dressing room" feature was carried over from Birthdayland/Starland. One of the tents was turned into a large shop called County Bounty.

Other differences include the additions of a fruit market and Pete's Garage (restrooms). Cornelius Coot sits at the center of a small corn farm now, instead of his old fountain.

Mickey's Toontown Fair is set to close sometime in the near future to make way for the Fantasyland expansion, which is set to open in 2012.

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Created April 2001
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